India, Iran 'mature enough' to handle foreign policy matters: Cong

Published: Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 19:06 [IST]

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New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) The Congress today expressed itself against the reported US advice to New Delhi to talk tough with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad on the nuclear issue during his state visit from April 29, and said both the countries were "mature enough" to deal with their foreign policy issues.

"The foreign policy of India is decided by New Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee," AICC Spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told mediapersons, while pointing out that "we are looking forward to the visit of Iranian President on April 29." He said Mr Ahmedinejad would meet President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Prime Minister Singh during his state visit.

Asked if the Congress Party welcomed New Delhi's snub of the US for its advice to India on conducting business with the visiting Iranian President, Mr Ahmed said : "We do think that India and Iran are mature enough with regard to their foreign policy." "They can discuss things among themselves." Replying to a question if there was any shift in Congress policy towards Iran, he replied in the negative.

"India always maintained good relationship with Iran and its people," he said, and added that the forthcoming visit of Mr Ahmedinejad would further improve the relationship between the two countries.